Kay had been in excellent form in the heart of defence before missing the defeats to Eastleigh and Wrexham through suspension and could come straight back into the starting line-up as the Blues strive to regather momentum.

Burr said: "We've missed Michael, he's done very well. As a centre half you are going to pick up bookings and suspensions but it's proved costly because he was in great form before he came out of the side and we've lost the last two.

"I'm not blaming him and I'm not going to point the finger but he's been very good for us and it'll be pleasing to have him back."

However, Chris Hargreaves' side have disappointed since and lost 1-0 at home to bottom-of-the-table AFC Telford United at the weekend.

That followed a 3-0 defeat at home to Wrexham in the FA Trophy semi-final second leg, during which defender Angus MacDonald was involved in a spat with his own supporters.

Torquay have won just once in nine league games and Hargreaves called the loss to Telford 'unacceptable' and said his team lacked experience, although five of the starting 11 were aged over 24.

With games coming thick and fast over the next couple of weeks, Chester boss Burr could decide to shuffle his pack tonight.

Along with the return of Kay, midfielder Kingsley James is pushing for a recall and the manager will check on the fitness of Brad Abbott, Kieran Charnock and Matty Brown.

He could also decide to give the likes of George Thomson and Kane Richards opportunities from the start with one eye on next season.

"There's a lot of games to play yet and a lot of points to play for, and obviously the majority of the boys are going to be playing to earn themselves a squad position for next season," said Burr.

"Torquay will be similar to the likes of Wrexham with a lot of experience. It's other tough game away from home. We've shown in games this season that we can compete and do well, so hopefully we can get a win down in Torquay.

"We'll have a look things and how the best way to shape up is. We've got one or two knocks from Saturday. Matty Brown took a nasty one and he's got a gash on his knee so we'll see how he is and Charny got a knock as well hence him coming off."